Business

Finding a safe home for your savings

Article Abstract:

Compensation for investors is provided through a number of schemes in the UK These include the Deposit Protection Scheme for bank deposits, and the Building Societies Protection Fund for building society savings. The Investors' Compensation Scheme covers other types of investment such as unit trusts and endowment policies. The Policyholders Protection Act covers insurance. Investors should note that each scheme has limits, and should seek to spread assets around so they are covered by compensation at each place where they invest.

Trouble's still knocking at mutuality's door

Article Abstract:

United Kingdom mutuals are under threat following votes in favor of the demutualization of NPI and Bradford and Bingley. RAC members also have to voe on the roadside rescue organization's mutual status, and Scottish Widows is rumored to be likely to demutualize, though the Scottish Widows headquarters denies this. The Building Societies Association has asked the government to place barriers in the way of carpetbaggers seeking to impose conversions from mutual status.

The feeling's mutual

Article Abstract:

The prospects for windfall payments from UK mutual societies are analysed. The carpetbagging trend of recent years may be over, but there is still scope for demutualisation. The most likely windfall targets are assessed.